of improving their condition; and, to a greater or less degree, an active promoter of their improvement. Much influence of this kind has been exerted by the Indians on one another.

All this improvement in the character and condition of the Indians is not claimed as the result of missionary exertion solely. Many causes have cooperated to produce it. Some of the Indians have themselves, by their example and influence, contributed much towards it. But all experience warrants the assertion, that complete civilization cannot be established without a knowledge of the Gospel. This is necessary as a preparative for the introduction of every other kind of knowledge and improvement.

CHEROKEES.

Brainerd.

The prospects of the schools, I believe, are more flattering than they have been for years past, if we may judge from the frequent applications we have had to receive children. There has been quite an increase of exertion on the part of the parents to provide clothing for their children. There are but few cases, where we furnish all the clothing for any child: and considerable is furnished by parents of beneficiaries, although they were informed that those children who received English names would be clothed gratuitously. This disposition manifested by the friends, to assist in providing for their children, we think is encouraging; and it is an evidence, that they are improving in the arts of civ. ilized life. It is also an evidence of their industry, as most of their garments are of their own manufacturing.

Although a less amount of good is ef fected by the schools than is desirable, still we believe that much good is done which will be lasting. About three hundred children have received instruction in the schools at this station; and, although a large proportion left contrary to the wish of their instructers, yet a considerable number were able to read a little in the Testament, and all had an opportunity of acquiring some religious knowledge. And it is to be presumed that they will more readily acquire further knowledge through the medium of books and tracts, printed in their own language, than those who have not enjoyed the advantages of the school.

*

That the Cherokees are rapidly advancing in civilization is acknowledged by every one. Six years ago, a large proportion of the parents of our children came to

* On examining the catalogue, on which the progress of each scholar is noted, it appeared that about 150 could read tolerably well in the Testament.--Ed.

the annual examination of the schools, poorly clad, and generally dirty; but at an examination in 1826, when near 200 people attended, all without exception, were Many well clothed and apparently clean. of the Cherokees around us, may be said to be good farmers. One man, the last year, tilled about 100 acres. Some have been successful in raising tolerable crops of wheat.

The mixed Cherokees, especially, are fast improving in their manners, and every year becoming more civilized. As a class of people, they are now quite industrious. They imitate the whites in the managing of their domestic affairs, and in the cultivating of their fields. Among the full Cherokees, also, more industrious habits are perceptible. They now are beginning to feel that the raising of corn and otherwise managing the plantation belongs to the male sex. The plough is now generally introduced, and many other farming utensils, which, for ages that are passed, they were strangers to.

Carmel.

Although many vices and bad habits prevail among the Cherokees, yet, if after a full survey of their present standing, their knowledge of the arts of civilized life and their habits of industry, we should compare their situation now, with what it probably was 30 years ago, it must be acknowledged that much has been done for them, and that there is much encouragement for all those who are laboring for their present and eternal good, to press forward in their labors of love. And when it is further considered how much Christian knowledge has been diffused among them, and how many of them have embraced the religion of Jesus, and have, for many years, adorned their profession by holy lives and holy conversation; we may indulge the most sanguine hopes, that the period is not far distant, when this nation will be wholly civilized: yea, more, when they may be truly called a Christian nation. It is strongly impressed on my mind, from some indications of providence, which to me are very apparent, that this nation is to be the first civilized, and then to be greatly instrumental in civilizing the other tribes. Were I to offer any thing as calculated to help them forward in civilization, I would recommend the immediate printing of tracts on important points in religion and morals in the Cherokee language; and then, as far as practicable, the employment of native Christians to go to the most benighted parts of the nation, to read and explain them. Such readers would gain a hearing where missionaries

could not, and it would be a cheap way of doing much good.

Creekpath.

So much has been recently published, respecting the advancement of the Cherokees in civilization, that it is sufficient to say, that this part of the nation is not behind any other part. Some gross vices still prevail; but they are practised much less than formerly. Some persons, who were once drunkards, are now sober. No public effort has been made by the people to restrain these vices. The advance is owing to a general elevation of character.

The people are much more industrious than formerly, although there is great room for improvement in this respect. There are some families who would, in any country, be considered enterprising. I do not know that I was ever acquainted with any man, whose business was more promptly performed, or whose farm was managed in a better manner than that of Mr. This man is a half Cherokee, a professor of religion, possessed of a strong mind, and by his own exertions has learned to read within a few years. He has a very industrious, and economical family. I might speak of other families almost as strongly.

Perhaps no person has made more improvement in manners, and general appearance than When she commenced attending school, she was perfectly uncultivated, both in body and mind, and knew little or nothing respecting the religion of the Gospel. Her advanced age was a great hindrance to her obtaining an education; but she now speaks tolerable English, writes an intelligible letter, understands the management of domestic concerns, is easy in her manners, and what is more than all these, she is a woman of undoubted piety.

Willstown.

Every family in this settlement has a cornfield, plough, and horse or horses to till it. They keep cows and hogs, and raise horses and beeves. The women spin and weave. In general, old and young are decently clad in cotton cloth of their own making, especially on the Sabbath. The season of raising corn is a time of general industry with both men and women; and perhaps we may say that most of the women are industrious the year round. But as agriculture is extended only to raising of corn, potatoes, and cotton, (except that a very few lately raise a little wheat,) the men have not a sufficient stimulus to keep up their exertions after

the season for laboring in the cornfields has passed. This is a very great evil, both as it tends to demoralize, and also to keep the people poor. The women are evidently going before the men; and we think this, at least in a great degree, is owing to their being more constantly employed. If a system of farming could be introduced, which would render labor quite productive the year round, it would, no doubt, with the blessing of God, be a great help in raising this people. It is thought now that the majority in numbers, and still more in character and influence, are decidedly opposed to the introduction and use of ardent spirits.

Candy's Creek.

The condition of the people in this vi cinity is much better than it was three or four years ago. At that time, very little small grain was raised; now, almost every farm produces more or less: then, but one house in the neighborhood was furnished with any other than wooden chimnies; now, several Cherokee houses have good chimnies of brick. The improvement has been equally rapid, in regard to the commodiousness and neatness of their dwellings, &c. Since the establishment of this mission, the people have become much enlightened, and their prejudices have become weakened. Open hardened transgressors are less daring than they were before; marriage has become more common than formerly; and in many other respects, there has been a happy change.

The law which has been enacted, restricting the sale of liquors, has contributed to lessen the evils of intemperance: but the greatest check which has been given to this and other prevailing evils has been done by the power of religion. This has produced a great change in the neighborhood, even our enemies themselves being judges. Even they who have not become Christians, have generally been in some measure restrained by the power of divine truth upon their hearts, as well as from regard to character; the standard of which having become, by moral means, much more elevated than, it was a few years since.

Several members of this church are quite industrious. All classes also pay more and more regard to industry; and were I able to make particular inquiry, relative to produce raised, cloth manufactured, &c. &c. I could present some cheering facts, in support of what I have asserted. It is, however, to be lamented, that a great part of the people make it a duty to labor only during certain seasons, when the necessity of immediate exertion to provide for the

support of their families, and save their crops, urge them forward. To this there are some exceptions.

Haweis.

All the families in the neighborhood raise corn and potatoes, and most of them a competency for their own use. Many of them from the fall harvest to planting, spend their time very unprofitably; and many of the young men, especially, do but little for their own good, or that of others. This cannot be applicable to the members of the church; though some of them undoubtedly spend too much of their time in riding from place to place, where no particular business calls them. When I first came here, the few who attended meetings on the Sabbath came dirty, and ragged; now, those who generally attend make it a point to appear cleanly on the Sabbath. During the two years I have spent in this neighborhood, I have seen a gradual improvement in industry, in agriculture, in cleanliness, in the knowledge of God and respect for his commandments. During the seven years I have spent in the nation, there has been a gradual but visible improvement. As the people become acquainted with the character of God, and their duty generally, so undoubtedly they will become acquainted with the comforts and practices of civilized life.

The more particular vices that prevail are intoxication, lewdness, slander, and sabbath breaking. The greatest restraint on these is a knowledge of the law of God.

CHEROKEES OF THE ARKANSAS.

Dwight.

The condition of the people is improving to a very considerable extent. A greater number of the people are engaged in agricultural pursuits every year, and to a greater extent, and with greater success. They are now also improving their buildings. Most of them have floors in their houses; and the number of good floors is rapidly increasing. Their houses are generally more comfortable and convenient, than those of the more numerous class of white people in the surrounding settlements. Most of them have gardens, in which they cultivate all the important vegetables. Generally they raise corn and cotton, not only for the supply of their families, but considerable for market. All have some stock of cattle, horses, hogs, &c. and many are getting sheep. They have poultry of all kinds in abundance. Many have very large herds, and a few have very large farms. One man planted,

the past season, 100 acres with cotton, 75 with corn, and with other articles, enough to make a total of nearly 200 acres. Their farms are well fenced.

A very great improvement has been made in dress. The females are invariably dressed well; that is, in a neat, comfortable, and economical manner, every day. A proneness to finery and extravagance is rather frequent. But few of them, as yet, wear bonnets, or any covering for the head, unless it be a handkerchief loosely thrown over it. A few wear men's hats. The men have many of them substituted pantaloons for leggins, and hats for handkerchiefs. All, both men and women, wear shoes and stockings, if they can get them; and a great proportion are able to obtain these articles. A great part of their clothing is manufactured in their own families. Many have feather beds, and comfortable and some even elegant bed furniture. Most of them have tables, knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, saucers, &c. Many of them use coffee and sugar constantly.

At the time of our arrival among them, we found many vices alarmingly prevalent. The most common and mischievous were drunkenness, gaming, and lewdness, with its accompaniments, infanticide, conjugal infidelity, and disease. In relation to all these, there has been effected so far us we can judge, solely by the influence of the Gospel, a great reformation, There are not now consumed as many gallons of ardent spirits in a year, as there were barrels, when we first came hither. Some persons who depended almost wholly upon gambling as a source of income, now do not gamble at all. Horse racing is almost wholly done away. Lewdness, polygamy, and conjugal infidelity are now generally disgraceful; and we have not heard of an instance of infanticide within the last two years. Some of these vices, to be sure, are still prevalent. Intemperance has yet a strong hold among the people. Some of them still gamble, commit lewdness, and practice polygamy. These last are few. The belief in witchcraft, which, when we first became acquainted with the people, was almost universal, and the cause of much mischief and several deaths annually, is now fast declining, and will soon be obliterated entirely. Such a belief is already considered as a mark of weakness and ignorance. Conjuring, of course, is now an unprofitable and disreputable business. A considerable number, in different parts of the nation, aside from those who are pious or serious, now regard the Sabbath as a day of rest; and of rest not only from labor, but also from amuse

ment.

One fruitful source of vice among these people, as well as every other, is indolence. To establish a habit of industry is the great desideratum towards the reformation of vices, and the promotion of every valuable improvement. In this respect, certainly, there is a change for the better; but still there is a great deficiency. Probably the present generation must be succeeded by another, before the habit of industry will be general. Piety and example, however, it is hoped, will do much towards this object. Avarice might, and probably would, wholly overcome the long established habit of indolence; but this is a vice which must be carefully and zealously opposed. Doubtless it is our duty to urge perseveringly every lawful motive to industry.

CHOCTAWS.

Elliot.

We think that considerable advancement has been made within the last four or

five years, by the Choctaws in this vicinity, particularly in the cultivation of cotton, and raising live stock of various kinds. It has been ascertained that 124,000 pounds of cotton have been raised, the past year, within 60 miles of Elliot, between the Yelobusha and Black Creek. Most of the adult natives cultivate more or less land, on which they raise corn, beans, peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, &c. Many raise cotton for their own use, and manufacture it themselves. Most of the people possess cattle, and horses, and generally every child in the family owns some of these animals. There are but few who spend even the autumn and winter in pursuit of game, compared with the number formerly thus employed. When they have gathered in their own harvests, they repair to the cotton plantations, where they find employment three or four months in picking cotton. They receive one dollar a hundred pounds for picking, and are fed. It is supposed, that nearly 1,000 Choctaws were thus employed, the two last years, by the cotton planters, within the nation, and in the state of Mississippi. One white man, who has a native family, had 80 acres of cotton, and employed 70 natives, during the last autumn. They weave blankets and various kinds of clothing.

Intoxicating liquors are the bane of this people. Many individuals from the surrounding white settlements, make it their principal business to trade with the Indians; and the staple article is whiskey; notwithstanding all the statutes of the government of the United States to the contrary. Some have the hardihood to bring cargoes of the article into the heart of the Indian country, and to remain with their boats till they

have retailed it all to the people; and then retire in safety, denouncing death to those who shall inform against them. Many arguments have been used to convince the Indians of the mischiefs of intoxication. They readily grant that it is an evil; but excuse themselves by saying that many white men get drunk as well as they, and white men make whiskey and sell it to them, or they could not obtain it. But for this evil, we consider the Choctaws the most peaceable, obliging, and honest people we ever knew. Theft, except in articles of small value, is rarely known; unless it be in the case of articles, for which whiskey is offered in exchange.-After living among them seven or eight years, we have not known a personal combat between adult males when sober.

Mayhew.

The progress of the Choctaws towards civilization is slow, but very perceptible. They are more industrious, live better, have better habitations, and wear better clothes, than formerly. Several blacksmiths' shops have within a few years been established, in different parts of the nation. These are a great benefit to the people. In three of these shops the work is performed by young men, who are natives. Two of these were members of our schools. One of them acquired all his skill with us; the other a part of it.

In this section of the nation, a great, and, it is to be hoped, an effectual check has been given to intemperance. Two years ago, ten persons, in less than two months, lost their lives in consequence of whiskey. Six of them were killed. During the two last years, only one man has lost his life by intemperance, and he was drowned.

Goshen.

It should be remarked, that, with the exception of a very few families, the people in the vicinity of Goshen have made far less advances in civilization, than perhaps, any other portion of the Choctaws. This backwardness probably had its origin at a time, and from circumstances, which cannot now be traced.

Although the Gospel has not yet proved the wisdom and power of God to the salvation of souls, yet to say that it has had no influence, would doubtless be untrue. Comparing the condition of this people now, with what it was when the mission was established, it is manifest that some progress towards the habits of civilized life has been made. Especially is this observable of those in the immediate vicinity of Goshen. They have more clothes,